MEASUREMENT OF FASTING BLOOD SUGAR, SERUM TOTAL PROTEIN, SERUM ALBUMIN, SERUM TOTAL BILIRUBIN, SERUM DIRECT BILIRUBIN, AND LIVER FUNCTION PARAMETERS FOR CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Leukemia is a common malignancy of childhood. Leukemias are group of malignant disorders of the haematopoietic tissues that are characteristically associated with increased numbers of leucocytes in bone marrow and/or peripheral blood. The aetiology of leukemia is unknown but several lines of evidence do suggest that the disease is a result of interactions between several factors for example: viral infections, ionizing radiations, chemicals and genetic factors. The incidence of ALL varies, and depends on age, sex and race. Antineoplastic agents (cytotoxic drugs) are used in the treatment of malignant diseases when radiotherapy and surgery are not possible or they are not effective. This study aims to evaluate some of biochemical parameters in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The results indicated that the value of parameters tested varies according to type of test (i.e. some higher than normal, some less than normal).

Matrials & Methods: Eighteen pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia children were included in this study. All were subjected to γ-tocopherol, methotrexate, vincristine, and 6-mercaptopurine chemotherapy treatment. Serum fasting glucose, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were measured using autoanalyser device.

Results: Of eighteen pediatric patients, two (11.11%) were hypoglycemic (22.00±1.00mg/dL), two (11.11%) with high direct bilirubin (0.50±0.00mg/dL), six (33.33%) with low total protein (3.83±0.85gm/dL), eight (44.44%) with low albumin (2.47±0.41gm/dL), four (22.22%) with low alkaline phosphatase (20.50±11.83U/L), six (33.33%) with high alanine aminotransferase (136.66±37U/l)., and ten (55.56%) with high aspartate aminotransferase (238.60±39.15IU/L).

Conclusions: malignancy of disease and chemotherapy treatment negatively affected biochemical levels included in this study, liver function, and nutritional status of patients.